Patents Issued in February 20, 2018
  • Patent number: 9895036
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to adjustable toilet footrests while using a toilet. In one embodiment, an adjustable toilet footrest comprises a foot platform having at least two telescopic legs extending therefrom, wherein the telescopic legs have a locking mechanism that allows for the height of the platform to be selectively adjusted to a user's desire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Squatty Potty, LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Edwards, Judy M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9895037
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing or eliminating splattering of fluid at a urinal or toilet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tray adjacent to the urinal or toilet, foot rests on either side of the tray, a splatter guard comprising an enclosure located on top of the tray, wherein an open end of the splatter guard faces the urinal or toilet, and a closed end of the splatter guard faces the individual, and wherein the splatter guard prevents splattering of liquid falling from the urinal or toilet, a disposable and absorbent pad configured for placement in the tray such that the pad absorbs liquid falling from the urinal or toilet and, a disposable and water repellant cover configured for placement over and on top of the splatter guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Yatin Shelar
  • Patent number: 9895038
    Abstract: An automatic cleaner is provided. The automatic cleaner may include a main body, and a wheel assembly disposed in the main body to allow the main body to move. The wheel assembly may include a drive, a first wheel rotated by a power of the drive, and a second wheel rotated by the power of the drive. The second wheel may include a plurality of contact protrusions on an outer circumferential surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jihwan Kim, Seaunglok Ham, Jongjin Woo, Hwang Kim
  • Patent number: 9895039
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus indoor unit that includes a controller is described. In an automatic cleaning mode, when having determined on the basis of an image captured by an imaging device that there is no person in a room, the controller causes air to be blown for a predetermined time to a stationary three-dimensional object identified using the image captured by the imaging device. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the controller causes air blowing to the stationary three-dimensional object to be stopped, and issues an operation instruction for an autonomous vacuum cleaner to clean and move in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9895040
    Abstract: A telescopic extension, typically for an electric household appliance, comprises: an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube and the outer tube are slidable telescopically relative to one another. The inner tube comprises, on an outer surface thereof, a plurality of deformations of predetermined shape; a sleeve fitted inside the outer tube, at one of its ends; a constraining device configured to lock sliding of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube, when the constraining device is at least partially engaged in one of the deformations; a slider and elastic means, wherein the slider cooperates with the constraining device under the action of the elastic means; and an actuating device operatively connected to the slider. The slider comprises a guiding device for providing a guided movement between the slider and the constraining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OMEC S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Canale
  • Patent number: 9895041
    Abstract: A cleaning device may include a solution tank configured to store cleaning solution. The device delivers the cleaning solution from a pump discharge of the cleaning device to a flow meter. The device initiates a priming mode by opening a first valve associated with a bypass line of the device, closing a second valve associated with a cleaning head of the cleaning device, and delivering the cleaning solution from a discharge of the flow meter to the inlet of the solution tank through the bypass line. When the device is primed, it initiates cleaning by closing the first valve associated with the bypass line, opening the second valve associated with the cleaning head, and delivering the cleaning solution to the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Balas, Stephen D. Herr, Henry L. Hillman, Jr., Victor Chi-Chih Huang, Ralph McCann, Kevin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9895042
    Abstract: A remover cover is detachably attached to an attraction head equipped at one end of a substantially rod-shaped remover. The attraction head includes a magnetic force generating surface adapted to generate a magnetic force. The cover includes a cover body shaped like a bag and adapted to cover the remover from a tip of the attraction head to at least the magnetic force generating surface, and a holding portion installed by extending from an open end of the cover body. The cover body is configured to allow itself to be turned inside out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MTG Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9895043
    Abstract: A method of washing dishes in an automated dishwasher utilizing a high velocity sprayer and high velocity spray phase for forcibly spraying water from concavities on washed dishes or utensils in which liquid can puddle in the cavities of the dishes or utensils during previous washing or rinsing cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alvaro Vallejo Noriega, Harsh R. Mondkar, Kevin Green
  • Patent number: 9895044
    Abstract: A method of drying dishes in a dishwasher having a condensation system for extracting liquid from air within a treating chamber of the dishwasher to control the dry cycle of the dishes in the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Bertsch, Keeley M. Kabala, Rafael C. Melo, Alvaro Vallejo Noriega
  • Patent number: 9895045
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially forming a treating chamber, a dish rack provided within the wash chamber, and a spray manifold. The spray manifold can have multiple apertures and/or sprayers for emitting wash liquid to define a spray zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Carlson, Jordan R. Fountain, Antony M. Rappette, Chad T. Vanderroest
  • Patent number: 9895046
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a variety of height positions. A drive mechanism may assist the dishwasher rack between the vertical positions. A worm screw may be coupled to a motor and may be positioned within the dishwasher tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 9895047
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a solid state image pickup device including a plurality of pixels with a photoelectric conversion element, a transfer section, an electric charge conversion section, a reset section, an operation mode control section configured to switch a first operation mode in which the reset section and the transfer section are turned off, and a second operation mode in which the reset section is turned off, and the transfer section is turned on, a black level correction section, and a memory, and transfers a synchronous signal for outputting an image signal from the solid state image pickup device, and a control signal for causing the solid state image pickup device to operate in the first operation mode and the second operation mode respectively by using a common signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuzuru Tanabe, Shinji Yamashita, Yasunori Matsui, Yuta Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9895048
    Abstract: A handheld endoscope has a disposable, single-use portion that includes a fluid hub, cannula and distal tip and a re-usable portion that includes a handle and display module. The electrical connection between the single-use and reusable portions is distally spaced from their mechanical connection and from the fluid hub. The distal tip includes LED illumination and an imaging module that feeds live video to the display module that is rotatable to allow viewing by the operator and others. The cannula and fluid hub are rotatable relative to the handle and includes separate lumens for fluid flow and an electrical cable. The fit resists rotation to maintain the relative positions of the cannula and handle until the application of a torque threshold. The single-use and re-usable portions mate and un-mate with each other via the physically separated mechanical and electrical connectors. Extruded cannula and molded distal tip parts can be separately formed which aids in manufacturing and assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: UROSEE CORP.
    Inventors: Xiaolong Ouyang, Chih-Yu Ting, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 9895049
    Abstract: Provided is an endoscopic surgical device and an overtube with which a surgeon can easily obtain a desired image and operability is high. The overtube includes a slider inside the overtube body that guides an endoscope and a treatment tool into a body cavity, the first valve member provided in the endoscope insertion passage, and the second valve member provided in the treatment tool insertion passage. F1>F3 and F2>F3 are satisfied when a fixing force for fixing the slider to the endoscope is defined as F1, a fixing force for fixing the slider to the treatment tool is defined as F2, and a frictional force that receives from the first valve member when the endoscope moves forward and backward is defined as F3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Dejima, Shinichi Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 9895050
    Abstract: This invention relates to a main optical system for an endoscope, in particular, to a main optical system for an endoscope that is focally imaging in the visible and near-infrared lights, which belongs to the technical field of minimally invasive surgery. The used approach is: the objective lens set has a positive off-focus and positive field curvature. The steering set has the negative off-focus and negative field curvature. Moreover, a field lens set is added between the objective lens set and the steering set. The field lens set is located near the focus of the objective lens set. After the field lens is combined with the objective lens set, it will have the positive off-focus and positive field curvature that match to the steering set so that the 850 m defocus amount is less than 0.05 mm and the edge field curvature is less than 0.1 mm in the main endoscope optical system. The system is good in imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Qingdao O-Mec Medical Technology
    Inventor: Changming Gu
  • Patent number: 9895051
    Abstract: An assist tool attachable to an insertion section of an insertion apparatus includes a tube including a longitudinal axis. The tube is provided with a lumen through which the insertion section is insertable. The tool includes a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism receives a drive force and is rotated together with the tube with respect to the insertion section inserted through the lumen. The tool includes a locking mechanism provided on a more distal end side than the connecting mechanism in the tube. The locking mechanism includes a convex portion or a concave portion engaged with the insertion section to restrict movement of the tube along the longitudinal axis with respect to the insertion section. Furthermore, an insertion apparatus to which the tool is attached and an introduction apparatus including them is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiro Nishiie, Robert E. Ailinger, James J. Frassica, Richard M. Andrews, David E. Gately, Matthew S. Carlone
  • Patent number: 9895052
    Abstract: An insertion instrument includes an insertion portion having a curving portion, and an operation portion body coupled to the proximal side of the insertion portion. The operation portion body includes a first surface, and a second surface extending from the first surface and extending in a direction different from the direction in which the first surface extends. A finger side other than a thumb of a grasping hand is located in the second surface. The operation portion body includes a first curving operation portion which is provided in the first surface and which curves the curving portion in a first direction, a functional switch which is provided in the second surface and which operates a predetermined function of the insertion instrument, and a second curving operation portion which is provided in the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Okamoto
  • Patent number: 9895053
    Abstract: In a capsule endoscope, on an inside of a capsule type housing including a cylindrical main body section and two semispherical end cover sections and having a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to a center axis of the housing, an image pickup board section, a transmission board section, and a reception board section are housed such that principal planes of the image pickup board section, the transmission board section, and the reception board section are orthogonal to the center axis. A coil wire of at least one of a transmission coil formed by a transmission coil wire and a reception coil formed by a reception coil wire, respective principal planes of which are orthogonal to the center axis, is disposed on the end cover section side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyuki Fujimori, Takatoshi Igarashi, Yukiharu Makino
  • Patent number: 9895054
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source unit, a band limiting unit, a light source control unit, an imaging sensor, an imaging control unit, and an oxygen saturation image generation unit. The light source unit includes a V-LED that emits violet light, a B-LED that emits blue light, a G-LED that emits green light, and an R-LED that emits red light. The band limiting unit generates measurement light having a specific wavelength band for measuring the oxygen saturation from the blue light. The light source control unit switches the control of the light source unit between a first light emission mode, in which the observation target is irradiated with the violet light, the measurement light, the green light, and the red light, and a second light emission mode, in which the observation target is irradiated with the measurement light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Morimoto, Satoshi Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9895055
    Abstract: Medical devices are described herein. More particularly, the disclosure relates to medical devices, systems, and methods for the visualization and treatment of bodily passages, such as an airway, sinus cavity, or sinus passages. An exemplary medical device comprises an elongate member, an actuator moveable between an actuator first position and an actuator second position, and a wire member. The elongate member has a first straight, or substantially straight configuration, when the actuator is in the actuator first position and a second curved configuration when the actuator is in the actuator second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, COOK BIOTECH INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Darin Schaeffer, Charlie Agnew, Arun Mohan, Thomas Cherry, Pamela Ridgley, Daniel Dalenberg, Kathryn Evert, Ken Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9895056
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser illuminator 10 includes multiple laser devices 12-16. There are at least three different wavelengths of light emitted by the multiple laser devices 12-16 and each wavelength of light emitted by each laser device is outside of wavelengths blocked by a safety filter used for surgical treatment lasers 52. A controller 18 controls the multiple laser devices 12-16. A graphical user interface 32 is operably attached to the controller 18 for allowing a user to select a plurality of light parameters for a light beam exiting the illuminator 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: David K. Klaffenbach, Brian McCary, John Goewert, David H. Mordaunt
  • Patent number: 9895057
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing visual field testing using light field displays are described. The light field display (201, 202; 801; 504; 601-604; 704; 801), that can correct for the focus and cylindrical refractive error of the subject, can be used to perform a variety of visual field testing strategies by rendering visual stimuli to the eye (203). The light field display may be included near the subject's eye, or reimaged by a relay optical system (802). Several embodiments of head and arm mounted systems (711; 704) including a near eye light field display (704) are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC, INC.
    Inventor: Alexandre R. Tumlinson
  • Patent number: 9895058
    Abstract: A binocular vision analyzer apparatus is used for determining a prescription of visual aids for the eyes of an individual. The apparatus includes first and second targets respectively corresponding to the first and second eyes of the individual and at least one illuminator unit for illuminating the targets. An optical system is configured to present respective virtual images of the first and second targets so as to be viewable by the respective first and second eyes. At least one beam splitter disposed in front of the first and second eyes directs the virtual images toward the respective eyes. The apparatus also includes first and second spherical correction devices and first and second cylindrical correction devices that respectively correspond to the first and second eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Christopher Baker, Tobias Buehren, James Foley
  • Patent number: 9895059
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a technique for centering an application field for an ophthalmic device or a method. More specifically, and without limitation, the disclosure relates to a device and a method for centering an application field relative to the cornea of a human eye responsive to movement of the eye tracked in real-time during the ophthalmic application based on a pupil center. An ophthalmic device or method allows performing one or more procedures with respect to an eye of a patient, such as a surgical, therapeutic and diagnostic procedure, e.g., including and not limited to Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), Epi-LASIK, PRK, lenticule extraction or keratoplasty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: WaveLight GmbH
    Inventors: Sissimos Lemonis, Mario Abraham
  • Patent number: 9895060
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a biosignal is provided. The apparatus includes a communicator configured to receive from an external device a first biosignal of an object detected by the external device; a synchronizer configured to transmit a synchronization signal to from the external device or receive the synchronization signal from the external device; at least one biosignal detector configured to detect a second biosignal of the object according to the synchronization signal; and a processor configured to compare characteristics of the first biosignal and the second biosignal and obtain biometric information having correlation with a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaemin Kang, Yongjoo Kwon, Sunkwon Kim
  • Patent number: 9895061
    Abstract: In one implementation, an apparatus estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point is described, estimates temperature from a digital infrared sensor and determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer, or determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer and estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point; after which the estimated and/or determined information is transmitted to an external database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ARC DEVICES, LTD
    Inventors: Irwin Gross, Michael G. Smith, Mark Khachaturian, Martin Crawley, Steven Gerst, John Barrett, Michael Cronin, Derek Turnbull, Jason Bodnick
  • Patent number: 9895062
    Abstract: In one implementation, an apparatus estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point is described, estimates temperature from a digital infrared sensor and determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer, or determines vital signs from a solid-state image transducer and estimates body core temperature from an infrared measurement of an external source point using a cubic relationship between the body core temperature and the measurement of an external source point; after which the estimated and/or determined information is transmitted to an external database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ARC DEVICES, LTD
    Inventors: Irwin Gross, Michael G. Smith, Mark Khachaturian, Martin Crawley, Steven Gerst, John Barrett, Michael Cronin, Derek Turnbull, Jason Bodnick
  • Patent number: 9895063
    Abstract: A surgical imaging system includes a light source configured to illuminate a portion of a surgical environment and a light sensor configured to receive light from the illuminated portion in response to the illumination. The surgical imaging system determines spectrographic content of the received light and uses the determined spectrographic content to identify the illuminated portion of the surgical environment; for example, to determine that the portion contains a surgical instrument, a foreign body, a suture, a particular type of tissue, a blood vessel, and/or a fluorescent marker. This identification of the illuminated portion of the surgical environment could be used to implement a surgical intervention. For example, a surgical laser could be operated, based on such generated identification information, to ablate cancerous tissue in the surgical environment that is marked with a fluorophore while avoiding ablating any sutures or surgical instruments disposed in the surgical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Blake Hannaford, Eden Rephaeli, Chia-Jean Wang
  • Patent number: 9895064
    Abstract: A system and method to determine a disease activity as a single value by way of optical measurements in order to facilitate an analysis of a current disease status and a future course of disease, thus assisting a doctor's diagnosis or decision on a therapy. A blood perfusion is varied in an area of interest, the area of interest is irradiated with light of at least two wavelengths, an intensity of light reflected and/or transmitted by the area of interest is detected, features are derived from detected intensity curves of at least two predetermined wavelengths under at least two different perfusion conditions, and the disease activity is determined using these features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hemics B.V.
    Inventors: Wouter Harry Jacinth Rensen, Pieter Klaas De Bokx
  • Patent number: 9895065
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and treating at least one medical respiratory condition of a patient are provided, including a medical data input interface adapted to provide at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration of the patient, and a medical parameter interpretation functionality (104, 110) adapted to receive the at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration (102) of the patient and to provide at least one output indication (112) relating to a degree of severity of at least one medical condition indicated by the at least one medical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER CORPORATION, ORIDION MEDICAL (1987) LTD
    Inventors: Baruch Shlomo Kraus, Ephraim Carlebach
  • Patent number: 9895066
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and treating at least one medical respiratory condition of a patient are provided, including a medical data input interface adapted to provide at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration of the patient, and a medical parameter interpretation functionality (104, 110) adapted to receive the at least one medical parameter relating at least to the respiration (102) of the patient and to provide at least one output indication (112) relating to a degree of severity of at least one medical condition indicated by the at least one medical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventors: Baruch Shlomo Krauss, Ephraim Carlebach
  • Patent number: 9895067
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously detecting surface pressure and blood volume of an object and a method of detecting the same are provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a light emitter disposed on the PCB which emits light of a first wavelength and light of a second wavelength; a first light receiver which detects light of the first wavelength and a second light receiver which detects light of the second wavelength; a transparent elastic body on the PCB which covers the light emitter, the first light receiver, and the second light receiver; and a dichroic coating formed on the transparent elastic body. The dichroic coating reflects light of the first wavelength and transmits light of the second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangyun Park, Jaemin Kang, Yongjoo Kwon, Sunkwon Kim, Younho Kim
  • Patent number: 9895068
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for determination and indication of the time remaining before a patient's physical characteristics are displayed on a monitor. The indication may be a numeric count-down, a progress bar, a clock face, an audible signal, or any other time and/or progress indication. The approximate wait-time may be determined, for example, by adding the known, generally fixed durations of characteristic determination processes to the calculated, variable durations of characteristic determination processes. Exemplary processes which may have generally fixed durations include monitor boot-up, sensor validation, and sensor calibration. Exemplary processes which may have variable durations include sensor location determination and pulsation detection. The sum of the pre-determined and calculated durations may be an approximate wait-time, which is indicated to a caregiver via visual or audible display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Clark R. Baker, Daryl Bordon
  • Patent number: 9895069
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces systems and methods to measure fluid in a body segment. In one embodiment, a computer system used to measure fluid in a body segment is described. A current generation module may be used to emit an electrical through at least one body segment. The electrical current may be used to measure fluid-volume content of the at least one body segment. An electrode module having a plurality of electrodes may be attached to the current generation module. A signal-processing module may be used to measure changes in the electrical current through at least one body segment. Further, an impedance module may be used to calculate fluid-volume change in at least one body segment and determine the flow of fluid through the at least one body segment. Other embodiments also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventor: Mamdouh Monif Monif
  • Patent number: 9895070
    Abstract: A system which includes a first sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity is configured to monitor pulsations of the artery receiving blood which emanates from the cranial cavity artery. A second sensor placed proximate to a perfusion field of an artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity configured to monitor pulsations of the artery which does not receive blood emanating from the cranial cavity. A third sensor configured to monitor pulsations of a distal artery. A processing system responsive to signals from the first, second, and third sensors is configured to determine intracranial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Vivonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Anna M Galea
  • Patent number: 9895071
    Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the use of a tracking mechanism to identify and/or confirm cardiac rate using data from iterative self-correlation performed at intervals over time. This may enable the interpolation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device when data is insufficient, and may provide confidence in cardiac rate analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CAMERON HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Krzysztof Z. Siejko
  • Patent number: 9895072
    Abstract: A system for sensing multiple local electric voltages from endocardial surface of a heart, includes: an elongate tubular member having a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of flexible splines; an anchor for securably affixing the proximal portions of the splines, where the anchor is securably affixed within the lumen of the elongate tubular member at the distal end of the elongate tubular member; and a metallic tip for securably affixing the distal portions of the splines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Topera, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Kordis, Eric T. Johnson, Phillip C. Burke, Darrin J. Kent, Robert Ryan Ragland
  • Patent number: 9895073
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a catheter having a basket-shaped electrode assembly at the distal end of the catheter body formed from a plurality of spines with electrodes. Each spine is deflectable outwards into an expanded configuration, so that the basket-shaped electrode assembly has a proximal basket area and a distal basket area with different equatorial diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventor: Mario A. Solis
  • Patent number: 9895074
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for analyzing data sensed from a device implanted in a patient, such as a cardiac pacing system. The system detects and evaluates electric signals within the patient that share a common event marker. By using algorithms and graphical presentation of the collected signals having common event markers, deviations in signals over time can be identified and evaluated in consideration of taking further action related to the patient and the implanted device. The system can also be used in conjunction with an advanced patient management system that includes a programmer or repeater capable of gathering information from the implanted device and transmitting the data to a host via a communications network for evaluation at a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Woellenstein, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Scott T. Mazar, Robert J. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9895075
    Abstract: A system for electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation includes a processor and memory coupled to the processor. A rendering module is stored in the memory and is configured to receive input from an ECG and correlate interpretation statements with ECG measurements responsible for the interpretation statements in the ECG. An interface is configured to permit user selection of at least one interpretation statement in a display, the display being configured to render visual indications of the ECG measurements on digitally rendered waveforms of the ECG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: William Douglas Grube, Richard E. Gregg, Patrick Guiney
  • Patent number: 9895076
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for analyzing data for a region of interest in connection with cardiac mapping. The method and system acquire data recordings of at least one of electrical sensor measurements from an electrical sensor and motion data from a motion sensor in contact with the region of interest, determine cycle lengths associated with cardiac events in the data recordings; and identify a reference cycle length from the cycle lengths determined. The method and system analyze the cycle lengths such that differences in heart rate and cycle length have limited effect on an overall map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yelena Nabutovsky, Hoda Razavi
  • Patent number: 9895077
    Abstract: A method of analyzing neurophysiological data is disclosed. The method comprises: identifying activity-related features in the data, constructing a brain network activity (BNA) pattern having a plurality of nodes, each representing a feature of the activity-related features, and assigning a connectivity weight to each pair of nodes in the BNA pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Elminda Ltd.
    Inventors: Goded Shahaf, Amit Reches, Amir B. Geva, Noga Pinchuk, Guy Ben-Bassat, Ayelet Kanter, Revital Shani-Hershkovich, Ronen Gadot, Yaki Stern
  • Patent number: 9895078
    Abstract: A body impedance measuring apparatus includes: a first module including a first input electrode and a first output electrode which are configured to contact a subject; a second module including a second input electrode and a second output electrode which are configured to contact the subject; a connection member configured to connect the first module to the second module and adjust a distance between the first module and the second module; and a measuring unit configured to apply a current to the first and second input electrodes, detect a voltage between the first and second output electrodes, and determine a body impedance of a subject based on the detected voltage. At least a component of the measuring unit is disposed in the first module and is electrically connected to the second module through the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunsun Eom, Jungmok Bae, Kak Namkoong, Yeolho Lee, Seongho Cho
  • Patent number: 9895079
    Abstract: A method for forming an electropotential map, including: measuring locations of points on a surface of a body organ, and measuring electrical potentials of a subset of the points. The method further includes assigning respective resistances to line segments joining the points so as to define a resistor mesh, and generating an electropotential map of the surface by applying an harmonic function to the resistor mesh responsive to the measured electrical potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Fady Massarwa, Ido Ilan
  • Patent number: 9895080
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of changes in impedance a patient that includes generating measured impedances, generating an adaptive baseline trend of the measured impedances corresponding to a first time period, generating a short term trend of the measured impedances corresponding to a second time period less than the first time period, determining changes in relative position of the short term trend and the baseline trend, the determined changes in relative position corresponding to determining intersecting of the baseline trend by the short term trend, determining differences between the baseline trend and calculated period average impedances, and accumulating, in response to determining no intersecting of the baseline trend by the short term trend, the determined differences between the baseline trend and the calculated period average impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stadler, Li Wang
  • Patent number: 9895081
    Abstract: A method of estimating the upper airway resistance of a patient using a gas delivery system includes delivering a flow of breathing gas to the patient through the patient circuit of the gas delivery system, superimposing an oscillatory pressure on the flow of breathing gas during an expiratory phase of the patient, determining a first amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas pressure provided to the patient at an end of the expiratory phase, determining a second amplitude of an oscillatory component of a gas flow provided to the patient at the end of the expiratory phase, determining a first resistance value based on the ratio of the first amplitude to the second amplitude, and determining an upper airway resistance value based on the first resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: William A. Truschel, Anandi Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 9895082
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an airflow perturbation device for detecting airway sensitivity to temperature comprises a pneumotachometer including a flow sensor to measure airflow through the apparatus; a perturbation mechanism to periodically alter air flow resistance in the apparatus; an air cooler; a pressure sensor to measure a difference in air pressure across the pneumotachometer and perturbation mechanism; and a computing system comprising at least one processor configured to receive data from the flow sensor and pressure sensor; and determine an airflow resistance based on the received data. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method for detecting airway sensitivity to temperature in substantially the same manners described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventors: Arthur T. Johnson, Jafar Vossoughi
  • Patent number: 9895083
    Abstract: Determining the lung compliance and lung resistance of a subject undergoing respiratory therapy using non-invasive ventilation requires taking the presence of leaks into account. In particular, variable and unintentional leaks at or near a subject interface appliance may be dynamically determined based on an average resistance of the leak orifice of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Han Zheng, Samir Ahmad, Masahiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9895084
    Abstract: A CPU of a blood pressure measurement apparatus configured to be used while attached to a wrist of a measurement subject calculates an inclination angle formed by a forearm of the measurement subject with respect to a reference plane, and a rotation angle about an axis, where the forearm is used as the axis, of the blood pressure measurement device, based on information detected by an acceleration sensor, and uses the distance d between the radial artery and the ulnar artery that pass through the wrist, the inclination angle, and the rotation angle to determine the relative positional relationship between the radial artery and the ulnar artery. In accordance with the relative positional relationship, the CPU guides the measurement orientation of the measurement subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Sato, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Toshihiko Ogura
  • Patent number: 9895085
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data representing graphomotor motion during a succession of executions of graphomotor diagnostic tasks performed in a medical context by a subject, processing the received data using a computer, including determining a first set of quantitative features from a first execution of a task by the subject, and determining a second set of quantitative features from a second execution of a task by the subject, determining one or more metrics based on a comparison to the successive executions, including using at least the first set of quantitative features and the second set of quantitative features to determine said metrics, and providing a diagnostic report associated with neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the subject's execution of the tasks based on the determined metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lahey Clinic Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Davis, Dana L. Penney